On Monday 9th January, at Gravesend’s Gordon Lodge, V.W.Bro David Arthur Orlando Wallis P.G.J.O. received a Certificate of Recognition from our Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Martyn Summers, to celebrate more than 60 years continuous membership of Mark Masonry.
David was born in Surrey in 1935, where he was also educated before joining The Corps of Royal Engineers, seeing active service in Egypt and Cyprus.
Very much a family man, David has been married to Barbara for 66 years. They have one daughter, one grandson, (who is a Past Master of the town’s Portcullis Craft Lodge), and a great grandson.
David’s masonic journey began over 65 years ago, when he was Initiated into Sir Walter St John Lodge in London in October 1957. He joined the aforementioned Portcullis Lodge in 1973, becoming Worshipful Master 1999. He had been Appointed to the rank of Provincial Grand Steward for the Province of East Kent in 1980.
In the Mark Degree, David was Advanced in the Province of London’s Centenary Lodge No.1200 in February 1962, (the year that the first James Bond film, Dr No, was released), becoming Master in 1970. In 1980, again, he was Appointed a Grand Steward, becoming Master of the most prestigious Grand Stewards’ Lodge No.9002 in 2008. David was Promoted to P.G.J.D. in 1988 and then to his current rank of P.G.J.O. in 2010.
In January 2001, David became a Member of The Mark Province of Kent when he joined Gordon Lodge No.364. He was Elevated in the Gordon Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners in May of the same year, becoming Commander in 2005. He was Appointed to Prov.R.A.M.G.R. in 2010.
Outside of Masonry David was a keen Golfer until he was forced to retire in 2017 for health reasons. He has always had an interest in his local community and served in various roles within the Scout movement for some 73 years, including the offices of Assistant District Commissioner and County Treasurer. He even finds time to be a volunteer for the National Trust at Sissinghurst Castle.